Bai Ling asked somewhat bewilderedly, "Your Majesty, how will Feng Morán deal with you?"
"There are only two ways to control someone: one is through蛊毒 (gǔdú), but any poison near me is affected; the second is soul control, and both have a flaw: once broken, the perpetrator will suffer a backlash."
"Given Feng Morán's cunning nature, he probably won't act personally."
"No, he will," Xiao Man stated with certainty. Feng Morán had too many questions in his heart. He couldn't believe they had reached this point. He would undoubtedly try every way to uncover the reasons. He captured Xiao Ling and sent her to her side not only to plot against her but also to understand the true reason for her turning against him.
"This subordinate does not understand."
"Because he is too arrogant. He always believed I was a bird in his palm, that no matter how he toyed with me, I could never escape his grasp. Who knew I would betray him without hesitation and deliver a fatal blow, making him a rat in the street, hounded by everyone." Xiao Man calmly boarded the carriage. "To the Imperial Princess's mansion."
"Your Majesty, think thrice."
"Ling'er, you should also go and witness this. Soul control, in a way, is similar to蛊毒 (gǔdú). Perhaps you can learn something new from it."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Bai Ling sighed, having no choice but to follow Xiao Man onto the carriage. Even after becoming an Empress, her personality remained unchanged; she was still the Xiao Man she knew!
Xiao Man, in disguise, left the palace, drawing countless gazes. The Fourth Princess stood by the window, watching the carriage pass below, her eyes filled with gloom, contemplating something unknown.
From beside her, a leisurely tea-sipping voice drifted over, "What, thinking of making a move?"
"Xiao Man is always good at scheming. Don't think that just because she brought a few people out of the palace, you have an opportunity. Once you act, the opportunity will turn into a path to death."
"You know her quite well." The Second Princess used her tea lid to filter the foam on the water's surface and said softly, "However, Eldest Sister seems unwilling to believe it."
The Fourth Princess walked back and sat down, picking up the tea on the table and smelling its aroma. "This tea is quite good."
"It's fresh autumn tea, just picked. The first brew naturally has a rich fragrance." The Second Princess took a sip. "Now that she has ascended the throne, what do you plan to do?"
"Pledge allegiance." The Fourth Princess said with a smile, appearing completely guileless. Her Second Sister was the most unfathomable of them all. Since returning, her days were spent drinking tea and watching operas, rarely leaving her quarters. She made no move to trouble Xiao Man, fully embodying the persona of a carefree princess living out her days.
The Second Princess seemed surprised by the Fourth Princess's statement. Pledge allegiance? Would she actually do that? A person with a rebellious nature, could she be trusted to pledge allegiance?
"Second Sister doesn't believe me?"
"I'm merely surprised," the Second Princess said softly. "After all, Fourth Sister doesn't seem like someone who would accept fate."
The Fourth Princess gave a bitter smile. "I wish I didn't have to accept fate, but I find myself unable to muster the will to resist. Second Sister, Xiao Man is not as simple as she appears; she... is terrifying."
The Second Princess did not miss the fear in the Fourth Princess's eyes, a fear that seemed to emanate from the depths of her heart, impossible to feign. Lan Yuan was truly afraid of Xiao Man!
"Your Majesty, is she really that terrifying?"
The Fourth Princess couldn't help but shiver, hugging her arms as if that would dispel the fear radiating from her bones. She had attempted to assassinate Xiao Man multiple times. Xiao Man had killed all her people but had spared her each time, like a cat toying with a mouse. She could have easily snapped the prey's neck, but she chose not to, preferring to play with her prey, watching it flee in panic, believing it could escape the hunter's grasp.
The Second Princess was curious about what Xiao Man had done to instill such fear in the Fourth Princess. However, she always knew what to ask and what not to ask, immediately concealing all her thoughts.
"I, on the other hand, feel she is not ruthless enough," the Second Princess said softly.
"Not ruthless enough?" the Fourth Princess's voice rose. "All my subordinates died by her hands..."
The Fourth Princess suddenly fell silent, her gaze shifting elsewhere. "She is indeed ruthless. Second Sister, do not underestimate her."
"If she were truly ruthless, why would she have spared you?" the Second Princess said pointedly. "If I were Xiao Man, I would have killed Lan Qin in Yusheng, then killed Lan Bing outside, making it look like the work of bandits. Upon returning to Bianjing, I would have used Eldest Princess to kill you, and finally eliminated Eldest Princess herself. A clean sweep, wouldn't that be the case?"
The Fourth Princess stared at the Second Princess in disbelief, as if she had misheard. But upon closer reflection, her words held truth. If it were her, she would have dealt with others in the same manner, as only then could she achieve a lasting solution.
"Fourth Sister, you didn't think the same way?" the Second Princess asked with amusement. The thoughts of several princesses were likely identical: eliminating rivals.
"Yes."
"Do you know what Xiao Man thinks?"
"What does she think?"
"Her enemies have never been us, but Lan Ruo Yu, and Feng Morán." The Second Princess spoke unhurriedly. "Although I am not in Bianjing, I am aware of many of the events that transpired there. Fourth Sister, if Xiao Man truly wanted to kill you, even a hundred lives wouldn't be enough for her."
"Second Sister..."
The Second Princess picked up the teapot and refilled the Fourth Princess's cup. "Don't take it to heart. After all, we are sisters. Since she has spared your life, as long as you don't cross her bottom line, she will not kill you."
"Second Sister knows Xiao Man very well?"
"Not well, but I have investigated her." The Second Princess said softly. "She even tolerated Third Sister and dared to confidently let Third Sister lead the army outside, which shows she has a broad mind."
"Second Sister thinks highly of Xiao Man?"
"Fourth Sister, if I told you Xiao Man could lead Lan Yue to its peak, would you believe me?"
The Fourth Princess looked at the Second Princess, astonished. "Her?"
"Yes, her!" the Second Princess stated decisively.
"Impossible!"
"Fourth Sister, Lan Yue's tradition is for women to help women. When did we start becoming like those women outside, scheming and making things difficult for our own sisters?"
"I didn't..."
"Although Xiao Man grew up in Yusheng, she is still a direct princess of the royal family. We have enjoyed the glory and wealth that should have been hers, and possessed the rights she should have had. Now that we have tasted the sweetness, we are reluctant to let go. Do you know what that is called?" Su Dan Novel Network.
"Greed."
"Yes, greed." The Second Princess's eyes gleamed. "Greed is the most terrible poison, capable of plunging you into an abyss of eternal damnation."